Buying a home with even a wee bit of remorse is about as certain as death and taxes. It happens to us all unless, of course, you have money to burn and you acquire homes like the rest of us buy coffee.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case for most people. We invariably suffer some level of doubt, fear and worry once we’ve signed on the dotted line. Is the house too big or small for our needs? Did we pay too much? Is something major wrong with it? Will we get along with the neighbours? Will the house be a happy home? What if we see something we like better?

Our anxieties and fears emanate from the fact that purchasing a house is a large and life-changing event. But there are ways to calm your concerns.

Before you buy do your homework. Ensure that the property and neighbourhood meet your needs. Hire the right realtor. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to air your concerns with your agent. Determine your price and stick to it. Think about the home’s resale value.

So let’s say you’ve done all that and now you’re simply waiting till you get possession. And still buyer’s remorse haunts you. Put down the Xanax because there are healthier ways to deal with your angst. Here are some suggestions:

Check Your List

Before setting out to purchase your home you probably made up a list, either in your mind or on paper, of wants and needs. Review this list now. How does your house stack up? What attributes made you select this home? Did finding this home take a lot of showings? It’s important that you analyze the facts as this may help you discover why you’re now feeling remorseful. Perhaps you’d feel this way regardless of the house.

Stop Talking About It

Initially you were pumped so you told anyone who’d listen and that, of course, means friends, family and neighbours. But often your closest allies will be your harshest critics, questioning how much you paid for the house or the neighbourhood you selected or even the style of home you picked. You’re best to stop telling people about the house. And if you can, tune out the questions and criticism that comes your way.

At the same time, you may have moved to a certain neighbourhood because it’s near family and good friends. Seek out those individuals who will support and encourage your decision. Ask them to remind you about the positive things you had to say just after buying the house.

Freeze Further House Hunting

Do this immediately. This will only cause you more self-doubt and pain.

Your Realtor Can Help

It’s normal for questions, doubts and fears to crop up that you don’t have the answers to. Unanswered questions, especially for first-time home buyers, can turn a mole hill into a mountain, prompting more worry and anxiety. Your realtor can help ease your panic. Remember, it’s their job to help you through the anxiety-provoking process of buying a home.

Make It Your Own

Once you’re in the house, put your own stamp on it by painting, renovating and decorating in your inimitable style. Your remorse is more likely to fade after you’ve transformed your new home in colours and ways that suit only you.

Don’t Obsess

The stress of purchasing a home that you now regret can be all-encompassing. Try to remember that life is more than your house. Maintain your exercise and fitness routines, your time with friends and family, your leisure activities. Hang out with the kids and remember that a move affects them too. How are your children doing? Do they like their new school? Take time to travel or get away for a weekend. Don’t let the house overwhelm you.

If you think having a yard that attracts feathered friends is for the birds, this blog is definitely not for you. If, however, fluttery, colourful birds sound like something you’d enjoy watching as you relax outside in your hammock, please do read on.

It doesn’t hurt to garden with wildlife in mind. Cultivating a bird-friendly yard and garden is not just welcoming for feathered friends but also inviting for bees, butterflies and other creatures.

There are certain plants and trees that attract birds to your garden more than others. For trees, consider planting mountain ash, birch or crab apple. As birds love to nibble on berries, grow female holly, wintergreen and Spartan juniper. Since seeds are also a big part of their diet, try planting sunflower and ornamental grasses, which provide seeds during harsh winter weather. Vines such as Boston ivy and Virginia creeper and small shrubs such as honeysuckle and sumac are also great for catching the attention of our flying friends.

Summertime is a good time to feed birds as you can enjoy a close-up view of your favourite species. If finches are your thing, consider wild finch mixture or Niger seed. Blue jays, cardinals and chickadees love sunflower seeds.

There are many bird feeders with which to feed feathered friends. Try placing nuts and seeds in attractive wood feeders or pole-mounted and hanging feeders. If squirrels pillage your yard and gardens of any and all edibles, you may need to consider bird feeders that are squirrel proof.

Like most living creatures, birds require water to survive as much as they need food. If you do not live near a natural body of water don’t fret as there are solutions that will keep your birds hydrated and happy. Use a bird bath, fountain or small water garden.  Try to place it in an area that gets some shade. Be sure to change the water often to avoid the development of harmful bacteria.

A bird house is a good investment if you want to attract birds. There are many styles and shapes to choose from so do your homework and decide which one suits your needs. Place the bird house in a tree out of harm’s way of predators and not facing prevailing winds and rain.

Many native plants attract songbirds. Black-eyed susan, foxglove, wild bergamot and New England aster will attract songbirds and help you create a singing garden.

Hummingbirds are an added treat in your garden and, as an extra bonus, they like to consume aphids, spiders and other small bugs.  Plant trumpet vine, honeysuckle, morning glory, petunia, bee balm, bellflower and lavender to attract them. They love the colour red so consider using red ribbon or décor. Place your feeders near the flowers you want them to be attracted to. Clean your feeder every two to three days in hot weather and refill with fresh nectar.

Sources: www.sheridannurseries.com, www.yourleaf.org, www.ofnc.ca

As warm-weather-loving Canadians, is it any wonder that we patiently bide our time as the frigid months and weeks fall by until the much-loved-and-anticipated sunny days of June.

Is it also any wonder that we tend to move our living outdoors come summertime? Let’s face it, a morning coffee, an afternoon cocktail or an evening burger tastes so much better on the outdoor patio.

It’s believed that cooking outdoors is better for the environment than doing so in your kitchen.  Some say it’s quicker. While others like how it keeps your energy bills down as you don’t need to cool down a warm kitchen.

But as much as we like to cook outdoors and as responsible stewards of our planet we should be doing so in a way that doesn’t harm our eco footprint.  Grilling and barbecuing do one heck of a scorch job on the earth. According to the Sierra Club, a well-known U.S.-based environmental group, some 60 million barbecues occur on the Fourth of July each year. Those cook-outs manage to release 225,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, burning the equivalent of 2,300 acres of forest. What’s more is the amount of charcoal, lighter fuel and gas used on that one celebration is enough to power 20,000 households for one solid year.

So in honour of Father’s Day, let’s take a look at ways to make your next summer cook-out an eco-friendly one.

Solar cooking – This wins the prize for most environmental brownie points. However, know that a solar cooker, while the hands-down champion for its low carbon footprint, has a down side. And that is the cooking is much slower and food will not have the typical grilled taste or appearance. The other point is that solar relies on sunlight which can be challenging during inclement weather.

Gas grills – If solar doesn’t interest you, a gas grill is a good alternative. While propane and natural gas-fueled barbecues do eat up a non-renewable resource, there are some worthwhile benefits. Based on some estimates, propane-powered grills generate three times less greenhouse gas than that of their charcoal cousins. On the negative side, gas grills are more expensive to buy and repair.

Electric grills – Unless you are using an alternative energy source such as solar or wind power, this is not a particularly green option.

Charcoal – While this type of grill will prompt you to recall your childhood days thanks to your food’s smoky charcoal flavour, this kind of grill is a killer when it comes to climate change. Charcoal briquettes contain carbon monoxide and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you must use coal, use all-natural lump varieties as they don’t have the chemicals and additives found in briquettes. And the taste imparted on your food is also pretty similar to briquettes.

Pellet grills – They use up compressed pellets of scrap wood that would otherwise be thrown away. Due to this, these types of grills are very eco-friendly and they release a limited supply of emissions. Big-box stores sell a wide array of pellet grills.

Sources: www.growingagreenfamily.com, www.fix.com, www.motherearthnews.com, www.sierraclub.org

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when waiving any and all conditions on an offer was so common it practically became fashionable.

But the market softened and people fortunately regained their senses.

The move to make an offer as attractive as possible meant many condo buyers were removing the condition that required them to approve their status certificate. A status certificate is a legally binding document that tells you about the financial shape of your condo unit and the condo corporation that runs your building.

It’s important not to disregard the status certificate, regardless of how many buyers are competing for the same condo.  This document outlines condo fees, informs you of pending increases, of special assessments being considered by the board and any arrears or liens on a particular unit.

The status certificate also discloses bylaws, budgets, reserve funds, insurance, management contracts, rules and minutes of the last annual general meeting as well as information about lawsuits the condo corporation may be facing. Essentially, the status certificate is a report card on the financial and physical health of your condo.

The status certificate lets you know what extra costs you may incur as a prospective condo owner. So if you do purchase a unit and then learn, say a month later, that you need to cough up $3,000 for new windows, what happens? Well, you have the right to refuse to pay up.

According to the Ontario Condo Information Centre, failing to announce a special assessment or a steep hike in fees or even an important expense against the reserve fund in the status certificate is like trying to sell a car with a rolled-back odometer. “It constitutes false advertising.”

If you’re a bit of a risk taker and you’re really hungry for a particular condo plus you know there could be a feeding frenzy come offer time, why not spend some time investigating potential condos. Do your homework, speak to people who live in those condo buildings you like and learn all you can about its management, finances and physical shape. That way you’ll have much more confidence about your purchase, and if you have to, you can remove the condition, somewhat confident in knowing that the management company has a reputation for doing a good job.

Yes, it’s a risk, but it’s one that may be worth it as long as you do your due diligence.

Sources: www.condoinformation.ca,

By virtue of its name alone, a bully offer doesn’t sound particularly appealing.

After all, who likes a bully?

In fact, just last month, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) proposed that the province place a ban on the practice of bully offers.

Bully offers, also known as pre-emptive offers, are submitted ahead of the seller’s scheduled offer date. They are typically valid for a short time frame, a move that is intended to circumvent competition from other potential buyers and to place pressure on the sellers.

OREA believes the practice crowds out other buyers, making the process unfair and that it puts undue stress on sellers. The recommendation is one of 28 submitted to the province, which is currently reviewing the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act.

The main reason why buyers make bully offers is to avoid other offers.  The bully buyer is hoping that interest will be relatively low early in the listing timeline before consumers become aware of the property. They jump in with their offer and the buyer just might take it. And even if other buyers are interested the bully offer is hoping they won’t have time to pull together financing or get a home inspection.

Should you accept a bully offer? That depends. If the price is right, why not? That means no more home showings and rushing home from work to stack dirty dishes in the dishwasher or stash unsightly items out of sight. If you are happy with the price, want to be done with the process of selling your home and tend to be a straightforward-thinking seller, this may be for you.

Bear in mind, that for a bully offer to be especially attractive, there should be no conditions. So sellers should expect a firm offer with a sizable deposit. It’s not a bad idea to consider ahead of time what price would prompt you to close the deal.

If, however, you are often uncertain and regretful, this move may not be the one to take. You could end up wringing your hands over what kinds of offers you would have received on offer night. This shoulda-coulda-woulda scenario may haunt you and your finances for months and years. But know that there is also a down side to holding out and that is that, just maybe, that bully offer is your best bet in terms of price and conditions.

Sources: www.cbc.ca

Take a closer look in the corners and crevices of your home and you’re apt to see all manner of creepy crawly critters.

According to a CBC television report from July, 2018, the average Toronto house has 112 distinct insect species scurrying about it walls, basements and rafters. The Great Wild Indoors, which aired on the Nature of Things, chronicled a team of bug experts aka entomologists who explored a typical Toronto house in search of insects. What they found was pretty typical.

And even though Toronto homes are on par with their U.S. neighbours in terms of the quantity of critters, that doesn’t make enduring them any easier. Let’s take a look at some of the more offensive ones:

Bed bugs:

These small, oval creatures are flat and brown, though they turn a red-blood after feeding. They live inside electrical outlets, mattress seams, sofas and baseboards. Although bed-bug bites rarely result in serious medical concerns, their presence wreaks psychological havoc, causing anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation.

Because bed bugs transfer so easily be sure to inspect second-hand furniture that is coming into your home. Also use mattress covers on your mattress and box spring to eradicate their hiding spots.

Cockroaches:

These hated pests range in colour from light brown to almost black. These nocturnal insects sleep in crevices and cracks during the day and come out at night to search for food. They can be found anywhere in your home or in warm, damp areas. Cockroaches don’t bite or cause structural damage to your home, though they are known to spread disease.  To prevent cockroaches, keep dark and damp areas in your home clean, especially those close to food sources. Dispose of your garbage every day. Wash dishes immediately after use.

Termites:

Damage by these bugs is typically not covered by insurance. These secretive insects are difficult to identify, though often compared to ants. Often a homeowner only becomes aware of termites by seeing the damaged they’ve done. In spring, you may see small flying bugs, which leave discarded wings. Look for floors that sag and blister, unexplained cracks in walls, ceilings and cornices, sticking windows and doors and mud tubes outside your home.

You will never eliminate all bugs but you can help discourage them from finding a home in your house. Here are some general ways to deter pests:

• Keep your home free of clutter.
• Clean kitchens and bathrooms regularly. Pests are attracted to warm, damp places or places where food is available.
• Vacuum regularly under rugs and beneath furniture.
• After travelling, check luggage carefully for the spread of pests.
• Seal cracks and crevices with caulking and ensure that windows and doors are weather- proofed.
• Avoid picking up mattresses and furniture from uncertain sources as bugs might hitchhike on them.
• When receiving deliveries of furniture, check the packaging. For mattresses, ensure the mattress comes wrapped in plastic to avoid the spread of bedbugs from the transport truck to your home.
• Store foods in sealed plastic or glass containers in kitchens.

Sources: www.torontotenants.org, www.pestend.ca, www.pesthow.com

Toronto has an abundance of neighbourhoods, some 240, unofficially in all, and knowing which neighbourhoods are on the verge of real estate glory can be somewhat of a challenge.

But there are pointers to look for and this blog will examine that as we explore ways in which buying real estate in the GTA is still possible even for the budget conscious.

Up-and-coming neighbourhoods or those on the cusp of being the next hot real estate pocket often start out as ugly, rundown districts bereft of the badges of gentrification such as young families and thriving commercial activity. Some are former industrial areas. The homeless or people living on the fringe reside there.  Others are just old, outdated and untended neighborhoods that could use an injection of charm and vitality.

About 15 years ago, that was what buyers thought of about Leslieville, Toronto’s tony east-end neighbourhood now known for vintage furniture shops, film studios and cafes. The then derelict neighbourhood needed more than a little TLC. Today, Leslieville real estate prices have reached those of Riverdale and the Beaches.

If you’re looking to get into the Toronto real estate market and have limited means searching out these neighbourhoods might be the place to start. Here are a few signs to watch for:

Following the operations of big-brand retail and foodservice chains such as Starbucks can assist you in determining whether a neighbourhood is worth investing in. The appearance of these often international brands is a barometre for a neighbourhood’s upward evolution. These commercial entities typically do their homework before committing a storefront so their appearance or the announcement of one is a solid sign that your neighbourhood is improving.

The big benefit to either moving into or investing in a neighbourhood on the rise is that if you get in early enough there’s money, sometimes substantial money, to be had.

The first step is to pick a neighbourhood that will gentrify in five to eight years. To do that, look for the early signs of improvement such as people moving into the side streets, fixing up their homes, and adding curb appeal.  Once that happens, the neighbourhood’s commercial district follows with the opening of lively looking cafes and shops. Keep in mind that established gentrified neighbourhoods often border emerging neighbourhoods.

The second pointer is that the neighbourhood must have some redeeming features. Curb appeal is critical. Victorian era homes are a good example of this. Their charm will appeal to younger buyers who often fuel the improvements in an emerging neighbourhood. Try to avoid neighbourhoods with unrelated housing styles that are rundown. That type of neighbourhood will have difficulty making the transition.

The third factor in trying to determine a neighbourhood ripe for improvement is to keep an eye on urban areas near main arteries that are close to transit. Naturally, you will also want to consider schools in the area, restaurants and shops, how walkable it is and other demographics, from household incomes, languages spoken and family types and sizes.

Owning real estate in Toronto can price many out of the market so it’s no surprise some would consider buying a home with a virtual stranger.

That’s the thinking behind co-ownership, a buying concept that is on the rise among non-intimate partners because it helps people get a foothold in the city’s prohibitively pricey market. Of course, your buying partner need not be someone you hardly know. Siblings, cousins, buddies and even co-workers might want to consider this communal approach to housing.

Buying with likeminded family members, friends or acquaintances is made much more feasible given the skyrocketing cost of real estate. But co-ownership also serves another need that’s not often talked about and that is the need to connect with others. Ideally, co-ownership set-ups fill social and practical needs that serve both sides. For example, an elderly single woman provides child care for a young couple, while the young couple oversees outside maintenance such as snow shovelling and lawn care. Or perhaps one owner walks the other’s dog, while the other oversees minor home maintenance issues that inevitably arise.

Naturally, it’s important to have meaningful conversations with your co-owner before jumping in. You will need to know about each other’s personal finances, future plans and make provisions should one decide to opt out of the arrangement at some point down the road.

Among banking institutions and the legal community, co-ownership is a concept that is in the process of being normalized. A few years ago, Meridian Credit Union, for example, launched its friends and family mortgage, which allows up to four people to be placed on title at no extra cost. And DUCA Financial Services Credit Union launched its More Together mortgage, which allows up to six individuals on title.

Communal or co-op living arrangements have existed in one form or another for years. Alternative living arrangements are what many single, divorced or widowed baby boomers seek as they grow old and reject the notion of large institutional retirement and nursing homes. Many seek companionship and a sense of community and find shared accommodations to be the ideal setting as they age.

There’s no time like the present to be an advocate for living in smaller spaces.

Minimalism is trending like never before and home de-cluttering organizers are the balm for our over- consumerized soul. Look at the popularity of Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizing guru whose books have sold millions around the world and who has a popular Netflix series about how to live better with less.

At some point in our lives, we will likely need to live in spaces that are smaller than what we’re accustomed to. Maybe you’re faced with downsizing and selling your four-bedroom for a two-bedroom condo? Perhaps you’re a single professional looking to get into the real estate market? Or maybe you’ve experienced job loss and a reduction in income that necessitates a less costly living space? Change is seldom easy so let’s consider ways to make the transition a bit smoother:

Keep it tidy:

Smaller spaces get dirty and cluttered much more quickly than bigger spaces. Spend time thinking about ways to organize your new home so that it looks comfy without being messy. Everything should have a home, preferably out of sight, though this isn’t always possible. Consider your walls as they often don’t get used enough for storage. Use pegboards, shelving and the many customizable racks for storage as well as display purposes.

Lighten up:

Always been a fan of furniture that is big, heavy and weighty-looking? Time to change it up. Overstuffed sofas and chairs will overpower your space, making your lay-out look cramped and overwhelming. Go for lighter styles such as coffee tables and chairs that show off their legs. That results in the illusion of more space as the look is more orderly and light. Consider multi-functional furniture, a coffee table that doubles as a dining table and wheels on tables and seating so they can be easily moved out of the way. And watch what colours you choose as a lot of dark shades may also work to overpower your space. Same goes for window coverings and paint.

Change the scenery:

You may experience cabin fever in your new smaller digs. Find places outside your home that offer you comfort, joy, amusement and peace. Is that favourite coffee shop with the Zen vibe a place you like to linger and people watch? Do you get a kick from observing the fast twists and turns performed at your local skateboard park? Or maybe your thing is a comfy chair and the kind of quiet and solitude that befits your local library?

Sources: www.apartmenttherapy.com, www.bhg.com, www.freshhome.com

It’s believed that predicting the future of any real estate market is a little like rolling the dice. You always hope for the best but know that factors outside your control can tamp down even the most optimistic expectation.

That said, 2019 should be a year in which we approach the Toronto real estate market with guarded optimism. Given its unbridled and record-setting growth in recent years, a kinder, gentler market may be just what the doctor ordered.

2018 was a year of self control for the local market thanks to a number of factors, including rising interest rates and tougher government policies. The government-imposed stress test for mortgages definitely played a significant role. Under the new policy change that came into effect one year ago, buyers had to qualify for a mortgage that was larger than they were applying for. This stricter stress test was imposed due to fears that homebuyers would not be able to service their mortgage debts should interest rates rise suddenly.

Earlier, in the spring of 2017, the Ontario government’s Fair Housing Plan, a move that also caused the market to struggle. The 16-point plan called for a number of policy changes, including expanded rent controls to all private rental units and a 15 per cent tax on foreign buyers.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), existing home sales and starts will post a partial recovery in 2019 after a somewhat dampened 2018. The CMHC expects that buyers will re-enter the market based on the strength of strong-than-expected job growth and in-migration.

“Our key take-away from this year’s outlook is moderation in Canada’s housing markets for 2019 into 2020,” says CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan. “Housing starts are expected to decline from the higher levels we’ve seen recently. We expect resales in 2019 and 2020 to remain below recent peaks while prices should reach levels that are more in line with economic fundamentals such as income, job and populations growth.”

The CMHC report goes on to say that given the GTA’s balanced market conditions, it expects moderate sales growth and the growth of home prices in line with inflation over the next two years. “The rising costs of home ownership will result in strong rental demand while new supply will add some upward pressure on vacancy rates,” says the housing market activity report. “Toronto buyers should see more housing choices as builders concentrate their efforts on new high-rise projects.”

According to the Financial Post, Toronto’s booming condo development will slow down with growth continuing but at a more restrained pace.

Sources: www.financialpost.com, www.cmhc.ca, www.newswire.ca, www.torontostoreys.com,